Attending Halal Expo Europe 2026?

The Netherlands is in the Schengen Area. Many nationalities can visit for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa; others must apply for a Schengen short-stay visa in advance via the Dutch authorities (the official Netherlands Worldwide / consulate channels). The EU's new ETIAS travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors is still being phased in and is not yet required — but check the official EU ETIAS page before you travel in case it has come into force for your nationality and dates. Carry proof of your event registration and accommodation.

General guidance only, always confirm requirements with the official embassy/consulate for your nationality.

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), ~47km to centre

Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM), ~6km to centre

Rooms near the venue fill up, book early.

KPN, Vodafone, Odido and Lebara prepaid SIMs from airport and city shops; EU 'roam-like-at-home' means a SIM from any EU country also works at no surcharge

eSIM: Airalo, Holafly and similar eSIMs cover the Netherlands / the EU

Plug: Type C / F (two round pins, European) · 230V / 50Hz

Euro (EUR)

The Netherlands is heavily cashless — contactless card and phone payment is accepted almost everywhere, including transit. Note that some Dutch shops and markets take only Maestro/Mastercard debit and may decline Visa or Amex, so carry a contactless Mastercard to be safe.

Lock in your pass before you travel.

🆘 Emergency: 112 (Europe-wide emergency, English-speaking) · Police 112 in an emergency; 0900-8844 for non-urgent police matters

Past editions used Beursgebouw Eindhoven, which sits next to Eindhoven Centraal railway station and bus terminus. Under the Beursgebouw is the de Bijenkorf department store underground car park (capacity ~540 spaces) and an additional ~2,400 signposted city parking spaces nearby. Note: 2026 edition venue/transport details should be confirmed once organizer publishes them — the current organizer site has not been updated post-2017.

Rotterdam is compact, flat and very walkable in the centre, and the public transport (run by RET) is excellent: a metro network (lines A-E), trams, buses and a water taxi across the river Maas. Metro lines D and E run to Zuidplein, a five-minute walk from the Rotterdam Ahoy halls, so getting from the centre or Rotterdam Centraal to the expo is a single easy ride. The intercity rail network also makes day trips to Amsterdam, The Hague and Delft quick.

The simplest option for visitors is OVpay — just tap in and out on the metro, tram and bus with your own contactless bank card, phone or watch; there is no card to buy or top up, and foreign Mastercard/Visa contactless works. The older OV-chipkaart (a top-up smartcard) still exists if you prefer. Always tap your card on its own, not a full wallet, to avoid a double charge.

Licensed taxis wait at ranks at Rotterdam Centraal and the airports, or use Uber/Bolt for an upfront price. For short hops in the flat centre, the city is built for bikes — but be careful as a pedestrian: the red-asphalt lanes are for cyclists only, traffic moves fast, and stepping into one can earn a fine.

• Meram, City Centre
• Zainab Roshni Mahal, Rotterdam West
• Gate of India, City Centre
• Markthal Food Stalls, Blaak / City Centre
• Restaurant Tagine, Rotterdam West

• • Industry seminars and conferences, Programme of seminars and conferences covering market trends, strategic developments, regulatory changes, consumption shifts and international networks. Open to ticket-holders.
• • B2B matchmaking, Pre-arranged B2B meetings with preselected entrepreneurs from multiple countries; included for both visitors and exhibitors.

Speakers to catch: Mr. Murk Muller, Mr. Said Elamraoui, Mr. Mauritius Wijffels, Mr. Muhammad Ashfaq

Feijenoord

Overschie

Blaak

City Centre

Rotterdam

Industry seminars and conferences · B2B matchmaking

Speakers: Mr. Murk Muller, Mr. Said Elamraoui, Mr. Mauritius Wijffels, Mr. Muhammad Ashfaq

This event is aimed at: Halal food producers and exporters, Halal cosmetics and personal-care manufacturers, Halal pharmaceuticals firms, Islamic / halal finance providers, Halal tourism and hospitality operators, Halal lifestyle and modest-fashion brands.